John t



iltitrd ,sautes pero esta.

Letters Patent No. 94,411, :lated August 31, 1869.

IMPROVED MODE OF OBTAINING- FIBRE AND OTHER PRODUCTS FROM THE MAIZE- PLANT.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom 'it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN T. Harms, of Tyngsborough, in the county of Middlesex, and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful improved Process and Machinery for Treating Corn- Stalks, Leaves, Ste.; eliminating therefrom the gluten and silica, ar. d lea-ving the fibre thereof freed from the same, for paper-pulp manufacture; also for leaching or boiling barks, dye-woods, dsc., for the purpose of separating the tanning, dyeing, and coloring-extracts therefrom; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others to make and use my invention, reference4 being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure l, plate 1, is a sectional elevation of the cntting and heating-machine.

Figure 2 is a top plan of the same.

Figure 1, plate 2, is an end elevation of the same.

Figure 2 is a detail of the cutting-blades.

Figure 3 is a sectional end elevation.

Figure 1, plate 3, is a plan of the bottom of the boilers.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of one of the boilers.

Figure 3 is a top plan of the same.

Figure 1, plate 4, is a top plan of a` boiler, showing the sparge-pipe.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the same, showing the steam cone.

Figure 3 is a top plan of a boiler, showing waterlute and scum-ring, and a modification in form of -the strainers shown in iig. 3, plate 3.

Figure ZLis a sectional elevation of the same, an showing steam and air-cone at top of centra-l tube.

My invention has relation to a new process ou method of treating the Indian-corn plant and other iibrous and vegetable substances, for the purpose, first, of disintegrating the same, and, second, for the purpose of removal therefrom of glutinous and silicions matterand in removing from the fibre matter unnecessary or injurious' in the mann-facture of paperpnlp; and

First, in a machine and process 'for disintegrating the said substances.

Second, in a certain device and process foru'emoving from the said substances glntinous matter Third, for promoting circulation in theliqnid contents of the boilers, when treating said contents for the elimination of the silex.

My invention also consists in so removing the gluten from the Indianfcorn plant that the saine can be utilized, and be unaffected by the chemicals employed in eliminating the silex, the stalks, &c., being irst treated for the removal of the gluten, and then operated upon for the silex, no chemicals being used for removing the gluten. e

I take the Indian corn plant-stalks lea-ves, and husks -and crush it, by means of plain or corrugated rollers, or by any mechanical device, and then cut it into short lengths, say from one to three inches, and pass this cut stock, by an endless belt or otherwise, into a large hopper-vat, or receiver, provided with a tapering bottom and outlet-spout, or chute. Into this hopper a jet of steam is introduced, for the purpose of moistening and partially softening the mass ofcut plant. When 'snhcient-ly moistened, I place it, by the chute or spout, with suficient water, either hot or cold, to cover it in the. pulper, or beating-engine hereinafter described; or a paper-beating enginel may be used, supplied with steam-pipes for boiling and such machiner as will assist in disintegratingY and reducing the stock under treatment to a pnlpy condition.

I boil the contents ofthe pulper, or beating-engine, 1f of wood, with steam-heat; if of iron, with either steam or fire-l1eat.

Reference to the drawings will show that the Inachine for disintegrating, or, if desired, for washing and bleaching the substance above named, consists of a tank,v or vat, a., figs. l and 2, plate 1, of wood or iron, having all the moving parts thereof mounted on the shaft b, extending nearly the Whole length, and projectingthrongh one end, as shown in iigs. l and 2, plate 1, and there receiving the fast and loose pulleys c c'.

el is a stulhng-box, to prevent the liquid contentsof the tank escaping around the journal, or bearing.

e is a sleeve, surrounding a, portion of the length of the shaft, to prevent any of the material in the tank attaching itself to the shaft when the same is in revolution, and thus accumulating, and impediug the action of the machine.

The middle and inner-end bearings, or journals are of similar construction, and are shown, in figs. 1 and 2, plate 1, to consist of the pendant eye-castings f f', attached to and suspended from the-cross-frames y g', in a central position for revolution.

The cross-frames g g are intended to serve as fixtures for the middle partition h, tlg. 2, plate 1, and fig. 3, plate 2, and to be the means of keeping the same in position 0n that portion of the shaft between the cross- "ames g g' are mounted the arms jjj, dac., for cut- 1'ng and beating, in form and shape, as shown in iig.

plate 1, and tig. 2, plate 2, as a flat blade, set at -n angle to the boss which passes over thercentral haft i1, said boss having a iixed key sliding in a suita- .ie groove in the shaft, as shown in iig. 2, plate 2.

There are six of these grooves, lat equal distances in the circumference ofthe shaft, but any number may be used.

One portion of these bosses is smaller in diameterthan the rest, -and serves-as bearing in the jaws of the cutting-frames le 7c, &c., rigs. l and 2, plate 1, and fig. 3, plate 2.

These cutting-frames are shown as a four-armed open frame, of equal and parallel thickness, attached at equal distances tothe bars l l l, &c., figs. 1 and 2, plate 1, so as to allow the cutting-blades to pass freely between them, said bars giving a ready means of fastening all the frames to the side and bottom of the tank a and central partition h. v

The cutting-frames having plane sides, and the blades of the beaters having both edges similar, the shaft can revolve equally Well and eiectivel y in either direction. Y Y

The material to be employed in the cutting-frames, beaters, and other portions ofthe machine must be regulated by the natureiof the substance under treatment.

Any number of arms can be used in these cuttingframes, and they may be .a `complete circle, confined in a tube. They may be constructed in various forms, andmay also be made with bevel-edged arms, especially designed to cut one way, or thcfaces of the arms may be reversed to the opposite angle, but all ordinary material can be treated with the arrangement herein shown.

The angular form of the blades of ythe beaters, and their arrangement upon the shaft, which arrangement forms a broken or interrupted helix, will, when the shaft is in revolution, give motion to the material nuder treatment, and cause it to travel through the frames and round the ends of the central partition,

thus causing it to come repeatedly under the operation of the beaters, Src.

In this revolution, the material passes the wire nettings m in, 3, plate 2, which communicate with the waste-pipes-u n, iigs. 1 and 2, plate 1, and dg. 1, plate 2. 4

Through these pipes the discharge of the liquid contents can be regulated by suitable cocks or valves, and a'renewed supply of water for washing can bc furnished by any conyenient means, or the washing and discharge may be `with the ordinary arrangement-s placed on the common beating-engine.A y i In the'accompanying drawings the sharb is shown solidfand is the cheapest method of construction, whether circular or 'of any other form, with four, six, eight, o r any number of sides; but it may also be constructedhollw, of any form, with holes to snit corresponding holes in the bosses of the beaters, thus conveying the water, or other liquid required for use, to the place most desirable.

At the extreme cnd of the shaftfb, and outside, as shown in figs. l and 2, plate l, is placed a relieving-screw, so that the blades can revolve without any cutting or beating/action on the contents of the tank, and, ii' desired, this can be applied at either orboth ends of the Shaft.

Steam-pipes may also be placed under a perforated false-bottom in the bottom ofthe tank, for the purpose of boiling the material under treatment with alkalies, during the operation of disintegration.

Although atank ,is described and shown in the drawings,` the moving parts lof the machine can-be placed.-

in a close vessel, qfeither wood oriron, of' any form,

-or=ina boiler,'and"'thus enable the disintegration to be conducted under pressure or inl racuo.

The arrangement of this machine is simpleand effectivefan'd will complete the disintegration of-any fibrous substances Vsubjected-to its action, and reduce` it to a pulp, ready for conversion into paper.

disintegrated.

It has many advantagesY over the paper-makersbeating-engine now in use for this purpose, and will beat alarger quantity of material daily. 1t is'pccnliarly applicable to thetreatment of the maize or indiancorn plant, and spenttan-bark.

The operation is as follows:

When treating maize or Indian-corn plant, it is to be reduced to short lengths, pnt into a hopper or chamber, and softened by steam or water, or both. It

'a centrifugal extractor of ordinary form, or a self-discharging one, to be freed from the gluten, and, when so freed, to be conveyed to the boilers for treatment for the removal ofthe silex, by means of alkaline solutions.

In operating on spent tan-bark, as this is always in small pieces, suticient quantity is placed in the pulper, and a lime solution is added to the depth of the shaft b. Steam is then applied to boil the contents, and thcl'moving parts set in motion and continued in motionfmitil the contents 'are thoroughly disintegrated. The waste-pipes are then opened and the liquid allowed to escape.

Thebeaters or blades :ire thrown out by die releasing-screw atthe end of the shaft b, to prevent their cutting and bcatin g action. Fresh wateris leti1i,and the machine is keptin motion until/ the disintegrated 'iibres are washed andkfreed from alkali and foreign matter, when they are drawn 4 oli" to a drahiing-vnt, and, when freed from surplus water, are ready to be converted into paper, if intended for wrapping-paper; or, if for white-papeathey'may be bleached in the machine by introducing `bleaching-lioluonand, by keeping the moving parts oi' the machine in motion, the stockv will be thoroughly agitated and exposed to the action of the bleach, and by applying steam-heat to thebleachliquor, thebperation will be hastened and rendered more effective. Y

The cutting-frame may he either horizontal, inclined or vertical. .e

vrlhe blades and cutting-arms may be xed, and the frame revolve ifdesirecl.

The machine may be benecially employed with rags, spent tan-bark, and other'material for paper-pulp,

- cientlybea'ten, cnt, a-nd disintegrated, and freed from the gluten bythe machinery-set forth in the foregoing description, IthenA submitthe fibrous portion of the v'material'to-'the'- operation of a device and process, as

follows, to remove the silex vor silica..`

rlhese relate mainly toga-method for promoting circulation in the liquids in .which the fibrous portion of the substance is placed forv treatment, causing mot-ion by the diii'erence existing'b'etween heated portions, and such as are of lower temperature, in any boiler' or receptacle, open or closed, and under pressure, or closed by a simple cover, formed by a water-lute or joint, for the purpose of protecting the contents from atmos-` pheric action.

In lig.,2, plate 4, is shown an arrangement where, by the use of a stea1u-cone, an induced current is creat-ed, and circulation promoted iu open boilers,

leaches, mash-tubs, 85e., and in similar processes, by the force exerted by the action of the steam cone on the liquid contents, forcing them to ascend by the central tube, and then to be discharged and distributed over thesolid contents ofthe boiler, &c., by a revolving sparge-pipe, b".

In 1 and 2, plate 4, is shown au arrangement for piromotin g the current, applied to open'boilers, ctc.,

It is well known `that in all the operations of boilngor treating vegetables lor other ibrous substances, for disintegration and separation ot' their component parts, (washing or l'ileacliing, the leaching of barks for the extraction ot' the tanning, dyeing, and coloringmatters, the treatment oi' log-wood and other dye- 'woods for the extraction ofthe coloring-principle the washing of malt and other grain for breweries and distilleries, used for making beer, porter, spirits, Snc., and similar operations,) the circulation of the liquid portion is of great importance, and that any certain mode of insuring such circulation is ot' great value in such processes and operations.

In the first arrangement, as shown in figs. l and 2, plate 3, the circulation is produced by the steamheated coil o, figs, l and 2, plate 3, having the usual inlet and outlet connections, and placed in the bottom ot' the boiler, below a peribrated false bottom, p; and at the required distances around the outer circumference ofthe boiler, are placed six, or any other number ot' pipes or conveyors, r c' r, whose bottom-ends shall be open to and through the false bottom, and the top end extending a little below the top edge of the boiler, so as to receive the perforated distrihuters, of any required form, as shown in tigs. 2 and 3, plate 3, by s s.

The outlet for the contents is shown in figs. 2 and 4, plate 4, and others, at t, as a hinged door, with a cross-har and screw, similar to an ordinary retort door, and at the false bottom a loose plate or cover, attached by a chain or wirerope, so as to enable it to be pulled through the contents, out to the top, in open boilers.

The object of this'v inner door is to ke p the contents abovethe false bottom, and thus exposed to the action ofthe treatment required.

In iig. 2, plate 3, is shown a haltlsection ot' a loose cover, at u, having a deep flange. downward, which is intended to drop into a recess at r, partially filled by water, thus forming a water-lute or joint, and closing the boiler' from the atmosphere, except the escape-pipe for vapor. This cover and water-lute can be applied to all open boilers if desirable, the object being to coniine all vapors, and conveythem awayby the escape-pipe in any desired direction instead ot'allowing them free discharge into the buildinff. I know that the water-lute arrangement is in common use as a close seal for covers in gas-works and elsewhere, but I do not know that such arrangement has been used as a means to contine vapor from open boilers, leaches, &c.`, and with an escape-pipe, orin combination with machinery such as herein described.

The circulation is obtained by the steam-heated coil o, although the same effect can be produced by fire-heat, it the vessel is of iron or other metal.

The action ot' the heat is to causo the uid to rise up the side-tubes, and discharge itselt' above the contents of the vessel or boiler, upon and over the same.

The duid may be distributed by sieves, strainers, or gratings, then desccndiugthrough the substance under treatment, and the perforated false bottom, it willbe acted upon by the heat, and, rendered thus specifically lighter in volume, willA reascend by the side-tubes, when there is no obstacle.

Although side-tubes are here shown, a central tube or any numbervof pipes pla-ced at suitable distances between the centre and sides may be used, either together or separately, as the action is equally certain, either in open vessels, as shown, in closed boilers under pressure, or covered by a loose cover and the water-lute, without any pressure, so long as suiiicient heat is applied at the bottom to give the requisite dii'e-rence of volume to cause the particles of liquid to move by the action of the difference of their specific gravity due to the increase of temperature.

This arrangement is suitable for treating rags, by boiling; to disintegrating vegetable fibrous substances for paper-pulp, where a high temperature is desirable or a pressure required; I

The operation is as follows:

The vessel or boiler having been lillcd to the requisite depth with the substance to be treated, the liquid portion' is then added from the top or by the inlet-pipe w, fig. 2, plate 3, and the steam is then let into the coil o, or tire-heat applied. Under the action ofthe heat the current begins aud continues as long as the heat is applied. The current is slow or rapid according to the temperature.

After the substance under treatment has reached the desired state, the liquid portion is then drawn od' by the pipe fc, figs. 1 and 2, plate 3,'&c.

If desired, the outlet door t may be' opened, the inner door drawn up,'and the contents drained out to wherever required.

In figs. 1 and 2, plate 4, the central pipe rises from the false bottom and rests on it, and at the bottom end is placed, internally, a double cone, y, or the cone may be made of any suitable form, to allow the small steam -pipe z to give the requisite impetus to the liquid.

At the top of the central pipe c is mounted a sparge pipe, b", gs. l and it, pla-te 4, which lrevolves by the pressure of the liquid forced up from the steam-cone and jet.

I am aware of the patent of M. Nixon, November 22, 1859. )Iy process here is quite different from his. He claims a forced current under heavy pressure. It is contrary to natural laws. Moreover, I employ the cones and air, of which Nixons patent does not speak. The air could not be employed under heavy pressure as I employ it.

The operation for ubrous substances or-bleaching is substantially the same as before, with the exception of the induced current and the distribution of the liquid by the sparge-pipe. But iu leaching, as in hemlock bark for tauners use, this induced circulation becomes very valuable.

Usually the sparge-pipe, for distribution of the water or liquor, is mounted on a pivot, or otherwise, and fed from the top, and from its peculiar arrangement oi' holes in the sides of the hollow arms, is made to revolve by the force exerted in the discharge ofthe iluid from these holes, such force being due to the descent ofthe tluid from an ele 'ated suppl y-eistern at any suit able height to give the pressure required; and when such water or liquor has passed through the contents of the leach, it is drawn oti below, either i'or use, or if not sutliciently iumregnated, is returned above by pumps, or other` machinery, losing heat in its passage, to the lsupply-cistern, to be again passed through the contents of' the leach.

By my arrangement, applied to any ordinary leach in use, and fitted with a sparge-pipe, by providing a perforated false bottom, if there is not one already in the leach, and placing the central pipe upright, passing it through the. false bottom, and having slits or holes, for the passage of' the liquid to the, interior, up and through the steam-coneto the sparge-pipe, mounted in any suitable manner on the top, sol as to freely revolve, the action of the Aforced current on the arms, if" suitably perfbrated, will be the same as a pressure current from a supply-cistern.

I prefer a. pipe with three arms, instead of two, each arm being perforated but a portion of' its length, and

the whole length of the three sets ofperforations being equal tothe length of one arm. By such means, l secure a more porti-ctdistribution ot' the liquid. This. is also aided by varying the size of' the holes according to the distance the segments have to travel in revolui tion. I prefer to employ the cover with escape-pipe and water-lute in each, .particularly when asubstance containing'tannin is treated.

In figs. 3 and 4, plate 4, the cone or contraction of the interior of the pipe is at the top, as is also the scr-` vice-pipe c.

Around the steam-pipe is placedY an aircone, hav' ing openings at d", fig. 4, plate 4, which openings are opened or closed by a sleeve, having corresponding openings, but with intermediate spaces ,enough to close' the `apertures in said pipe by the partial -turning of the casing.

Gnthe top of' the central pipe, and slipping over the outside of the same, is the collector e", having any'numbei' of square-bottomed arms, 71", 3 and 4, plate 4, extending to the periphery of the boiler.

The bottoms only of these collectors are perforated, the sides being made to rise some inches above the top edge of the boiler, so that scum arising from the processes of boiling may be carried o over the sides-oi` 'the boiler, flowing into the scum-ring i", figs. 3 and 4, plate 4,

i and passing by the waste-pipes it to wherever required,

the sides of the collect-ors preventing'the scum from passing into them, and the clear liquor only being admitted through the bottoms, to be returned by the action of the steam-jet and cone to the space in and aroundthe steam-coil, being there reheated, and ascending through the-contents, bringing with itany foreign matters, to be discharged over'the sides into the scum-ring as waste, if not desirable that the same should be collected.

The cover, with escape-pipe and water-lute, cr joint, can be added to this boiler, if desired, and the heat used bot-h in this and the last-described boiler may be lire-heat, instead of steam.. This device will be valuable in treating fibrousl vegetable substances for paper-makers use, and in bleach# ing the same.

The purpose of' the air-cone is, that in boiling, the air will open up the stock freely, and bring every portion to the action of` the liquid. The pressure of' the steam will force the alkali used into Contact with every particle of the stock under treatment, thus saving alkali, and insuring action on all parts ofthe stock.

In bleaching, the action of the oxygen in the. atmosphere is very favorable, in combination with the steam and any of the ordinary bleacliing-prepara-tions. The whole arrangement can be used as a bleacher, with advantage, by taking ont the steam-coil.

In this arrangement, when filling the boiler,if` a small port-ion of steam is passed through the stock, the air will be expelled, and the operation of' packing facilitated by the softening of the stock, such as straw, grass, Stel, thus increasingthe-capacity-of' the boiler.

I do not claim circulation by the difference of specific gravity, caused by heat, that being one of the laws of nature; neither do I claim a sparge-pipe, as

A`that is old and well known; neither do I claim the application of' ajet of' steam to produce motion in fluids, which is equally old,and in use in various ways, Inor the water-lute, except :1s-in combination with ythe machinery, and for the special uses herein defined.

It should be'reinarked, that in the treatment herein described, ofthe rlndian-corn plant, for the production of' libre therefrom for paper-pulp, the glntnous clementtherein is first removed, withoutthe employment of chemicals, leaving only the silica tobe sub'- -sequently eliminated bythe processes herein described.

This is an important andessential feature in my invention, inasmuch as, by my process, `the gluten is firstrenioved and kept free from chemicals, and is in the beststate for cattle-food, or any other purpose. There is no lossin chemicals b v adinixture with the gluten, nor is there anything left on the fibrous portion but the silica, ready to be acted upon by the chemicals, when put into the boilers. Heretofore,

-thc' plant has been submitted to the operation of chemicals before thevgluten has been extracted.

Ihis is, first, very expensive, and secondly, the process is imperfect and unsatisfactory in its results, as shown by the charactcnand quality of' the paper manufactured from the iibrewhen thus trea'ted, a

port-ion ofthe gluten inevitably remaining with the fibre, and producing a hard or glazed surface on the paper, and thus impairing its usefulness, and being very destructive to the type.

After' the iibrous portion has been freed from the silica, in the boilers, by the application of alkali, the fibre is again placed in the centrifugal extractor, for the purpose of' removing therefrom the alkali used in extracting the silex. 'Ihis operation may be conducted by theemployment of either hot or cold water.

Then the washing is complete, the fibre is ready for bleaching, if' white paper is to be the manut'acture; if brown paper, Vit isready for the paper-inak-Y ers beating-engine.

Paper has before been made from the maize or Indian-corn plant, but not profitably, owing to the large quantity of' chemicals used in reducing the plant, on account of the abundance of silex in it, and -t-he .destruction of the gluten and saccharine-matter by the chemicals, which gluten, by rst extracting the same., I save and utilize.

I do not,'orn course, claim the centrifugal extractor, but specify it as one of 'the steps ot myprocess.

What I claim asV my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The 'cutting-frame, fixed or revolving, orother frames or arms, eitherof' plain or grooved faces, and whether a portion of' a circle or a whole circle, either horizontal, vertical, or at`r any angle, as and for the purposes herein described 2. The blades or cuttingfarms, revolving as shown', or fixed, and other arms orti-runes, revolving in contact with them, either horizontal, vertical, or atany angle, as and for the purposes herein described.

3. The relieving-screw, iticombination with the shaft b, at one or both ends, as and for the purposes herein Ydescribed. A

4. The combination of the whole machine', substantially as herein described, f'or the purposes hereinbefore stated.

5. The apparatus, as shown in, figs. 1, 2, and 3, plate 3, to operate as herein described, and for the purposes set forth.

6. The apparatus, as lshown in figs. 3 and 4, plate 4, to operate as Ah/erein described, and for the purposes set forth.'

7. The arrangement of the central pipe a', as in figs. l and 2, plate 4, with its steam-jet and cone, to operate substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.

'8. The apparatus in the form shown in figs. 3 and 4, 'plate 4, with its central tube, steam-jet and cone, and with or without the air-cone, and with its collectors, scum-ring, 85e., substantially as and for the purposes herein described.

9. The collectors e" h, figs. 3 and 4, plate 4, substantially as and for the purposes herein described'.

10. The arrangement of the scum-ring i, rigs. 3 and 4, plate 4, substantially as and for the purposes herein described.

l1. The cover, with its escape-pipe u., and waterlute or joint fu, as shown in rigs/2 and, plate 3, and` tig. 4, plate 4, combined, arranged, and to operate as herein set forth.

12. The creating ot a forced-upward current or circulation in thc liquid, by means of the steam-jet and cone, in one central, or any` convenient ,number of tubes, either Within or without the boiler or vessel, substantially as and for the purposes herein described.

13. Creating a forced-downward current, by means of the steam-jet and cone, as herein shown in figs. 2, 3, and 4, plate 4, and either with or without the aircone, in one central, or any number of tubes, substantially as and for the purposes herein described.

14. Treating the maize or Indian-corn plant so as to extract, rst, the glut-cnous and sacebarine matter, and then the silica, substantially as and for the purposes herein described.

15. Treating the libres from the said plant with alkali, after the said bre has been separated, from the gluten and saccharine matter, substantially as herein set forth.

JOHN T. HARRIS. Witnesses:

WM. FRANKLIN SEAVEY, WM. HENxY CLIFFORD. 

